Wel, when you are setting up to do the eyes, draw your lines and create 2 little mounds, one for each eye, get the depth down from the nose and cheek so the mounds are basically the "closed eyes". then you draw he eyelids in and cutout the lids part that opens them up, then you draw in the pupil and line it in any way you want.
good luck. I'll explain more tomorrow.
Cheers
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I'm sure Ben has a much cooler way of doing it (and I can't wait to read his response too), but I'll give you my .02 for what it's worth....

I usually do all the fine detail on my small guys using the different dremel carving attachments. I do use the sanding disk, but sparingly because it tends to burn if not done carefully. Most of the "sanding" is done with the carving attachments. Once I carve the general outline, I carefully take away the wood little by little (or a lot at once, once you get the hang of it) with the carving attachments.
Once it's all carved and almost smooth, I bring in the folded sand paper and sand along the crease of the fold in the hard to reach places of the carving. I start with not so fine grit, then work my way to super fine (or whenever you feel the work is done).
After that, pop on the polish attachment for the dremel and shine it up!

Lookin' nice Raff. I'm glad to see your recent mishap hasn't slowed you down a bit.

I used to lay carpet many years ago & cut myself with carpet knives more times than I care to remember. Ben, that hook knife scares me. But, considering the source, I might have to get one.

Polynesiac, I'm so glad you posted that. I used your recent advice, but promptly burned out my Dremel sanding disk (Arrrrgh!). After that I used the exact method that you just mentioned, good ol' 60 grit folded up & shoved into the crevices. That and lots of cleanup with Flexcut palm chisels.

Thanks for asking the good questions, Raff. I too await Ben's words of wisdom on the art of making "rough" into "nice".

A-A
_________________"Ah, good taste! What a dreadful thing! Taste is the enemy of creativeness."
-Pablo Picasso

Very cool Raffertiki - even more knowing that you used a box cutter. If I tried that, I know what would happen - I'd end up getting the blade stuck in the wood and breaking it off! That's me with a blade and a block of wood. Keep up the good work.
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Keep the conga-tikis coming...i seem to
have a lot of conga designs in my paintings...conga players...etc...they have
nice curves! i do play congas and other
ethnic percussion but not in a profession
sense...tho we have kicked out a couple
of homemade cds.

OK, Here's a pair of eyes about 1/4" round carved in Very soft bass wood (which I hate!) I started with a small gough to get the basic nose bridge and the mounds for the eyes.
Here are the knife blades I use and a sanding star I use
This step is where you want to do as much sanding as you can to get it smoothe because it will be the basic end product around the eyes.

Once you get it smoothe and get the mounds even and equal and level, then you mark the eyes with a pencil
Next I use the small hook knife (since these are small eyes) to cut the outline of each eye. Keep the depth even about 1/16 th" deep all the way around. You are just making a slice for each side of the eye. 2 slices per eye. Then I begin to cut the "eyelid" off the eyeball itself. Using the small hook and small straight blade I just cut down to the edge of the eyelid and round out the eyeball a small bit at a time.
It takes a bit of practice but after a few you get the hang of it.
Just try to picture an eyeball up close, or better yet, find a picture and enlarge it until the eyeball is as large as you can get and then study it and use it for refrence.
I know I skipped over a few steps but I hope this helps.
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Damn Ben! Whaddya got, a telescope on yer camera?? No seriously, those are great macro shots, what kind of camera are ya usin'?
Raffer- Are we the only tiki-heads in New England?
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